News

The Prevention and Early Intervention Committee (PEIC) met on 18 April 2012. It was Genevieve Quilty’s first meeting as Chair of the PEIC.

Guest speaker, Terry Findlay - Director of the National Transition Project at the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) – updated members on Medicare Locals and the systems being put in place to monitor their performance.

The PEIC was briefed on latest discussions with the Department of Health and Ageing and its intention to develop a plan to implement the National Framework. Unfortunately there has been some delay in the second Progress Report against the National Framework being considered by Australian Health Ministers out-of-session. As the purpose of the PEIC workshop scheduled for 19 July was to discuss the findings of the stocktake which forms the basis of the progress report, this meeting has been postponed until a date following the public release of the report. Both the Minister and the Department are aware the sector is keen and willing to consider the findings and what this might mean for a plan to implement the National Framework. The Hon Tanya Plibersek has stated she supports its public release and hopes that her state and territory colleagues will support this.

Discussions continue around the development of key national indicators and their inclusion within a plan to implement the National Framework. Established in 2011, the Australian National Health Performance Agency is a key agency tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the performance of Local Hospital Networks and Medicare Locals. Feedback is currently sought on the Agency’s draft Strategic Plan for 2012-2015. A draft submission will shortly be circulated for comment.